Depositor system

ABSTRACT

A dispensing device for supplying measured quantities of batter to baking containers, and a method of operating such device use a peristaltic pump driven by a servo-motor drive. The peristaltic pump has a flexible conduit with a first end connected to a supply container for receiving batter and a second end from which the batter is dispensed. A movable pump element precisely moves batter through the flexible conduit from the first end toward the second end. A shut-off valve adjacent the second end of the flexible conduit closes the conduit when the measured quantity of batter has been dispensed. A conveyor is positioned beneath the second end of the flexible conduit for moving baking containers into position therebeneath for deposit of batter. The movable pump element has a peristaltic driver including a plurality of rollers, a drive shaft to rotate the peristaltic driver such that the rollers apply pressure to the flexible conduit, pressing the flexible conduit against a curved pressure surface of a shoe.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a depositor or dispensersystem and, more particularly, to depositors and dispensers of the typethat are used to deposit accurately measure amounts of a food batter orsimilar material on a pan, tray, baking sheet, or the like. The batteris then baked to produce food products such as cakes, muffins, pastries,and the like.

In commercial bakeries, baking mixes such as cake batters, are mixed inlarge quantities, and then dispensed onto baking containers. Thecontainers are then carried by a conveyor system into and through bakingovens. Known batter depositors have typically used a piston pump to pumpquantities of batter from a mixing container into the baking containerin which the food product will be baked. Such food products aretypically sold by weight, with the purchaser being advised as to theweight of the baked product by product labeling. It is important thatthe weight of the product that the customer receives be at least theweight that is indicated on the product packaging. It is also important,however, that the actual product weight of the product not exceedsignificantly the nominal product weight, as this would add to the costof the product.

One prior art dispenser used in the commercial baking industry is shownin U.S. Pat. No. 4,170,253, issued Oct. 9, 1979, to McArthur. The '253patent dispenser has a plunger mounted within a chamber at the bottom ofa mixing bowl. The plunger includes a one-way valve passing the battermix through the plunger head when the plunger moves away from thedispensing port and urging the batter mix out of the dispensing portwhen the plunger moves toward the dispensing port. The plunger is drivenby a piston and cylinder assembly which includes an adjustable stop thatlimits the travel of the plunger and hence determines the quantity ofbatter mix that is dispensed.

A number of other dispensing devices of this general type have beenused. One difficulty in using such dispensers is the effort required toclean them. It will be appreciated that all remnants of one type ofdough or batter must be removed from the dispensing system before asecond type of dough or batter is used, so that cross contamination ofthe batters is prevented. The path through which batter is pumped with apiston pump typically requires some disassembly of the pump to clean thedispenser effectively. Another difficulty encountered is a lack ofprecision in the quantity of batter dispensed, especially withpneumatically driven piston pumps.

Other dispensing systems have used peristaltic pumping in which one ormore flexible tubes are compressed to move viscous material or fluidmaterial toward a dispensing nozzle. Such a system is shown in U.S. Pat.No. 7,191,957, issued Mar. 20, 2007, to Anderson, in which viscousfluids from a hopper are dispensed simultaneously through a number ofnozzles. The Anderson system includes draw back control valves adjacentto the nozzles. While the Anderson system has advantages with respect tocleaning as compared to piston type dispensers, the amount of materialthat can be dispensed, and the speed and accuracy with which it isdispensed, are both limited.

It is seen that there is a need for a simple dispenser that providesflexibility in the speed and the amount of batter that is dispensed, andthat is designed for easy cleaning and other service operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This need is met by a dispensing device according to the presentinvention which includes a supply container, a peristaltic pump having aflexible conduit, and a conveyor. The supply container holds a quantityof batter. The flexible conduit of the peristaltic pump has a first endconnected to the supply container for receiving batter. A movable pumpelement includes a plurality of rollers which precisely move batterthrough the flexible conduit from the first end toward a second end. Therollers press on the outside of the conduit, causing it to occlude at anumber of points. As the rollers move, the points of occlusion move, andthe batter passes along the conduit. The pump further includes ashut-off valve adjacent the second end of the flexible conduit. Ifdesired, the shutoff valve may be constructed as an integral part of theperistaltic pump. A conveyor is positioned beneath the second end of theflexible conduit for moving baking containers into position therebeneath for deposit of batter.

The peristaltic pump further includes a shoe defining a curved pressuresurface, and a movable pump element. The movable pump element includes aperistaltic driver including a plurality of rollers, and a drive shaftto rotate the peristaltic driver such that the rollers apply pressure tothe flexible conduit, pressing the flexible conduit against the curvedpressure surface of the shoe. Finally, the pump includes a pump motorfor rotating the peristaltic driver. The pump motor may comprise a servomotor for rotating the peristaltic drive by a precise distance so as todispense a precise amount of batter. The shut-off valve comprises aclamp mechanism, including a stationary clamp element and a pivotalclamp element, and a clamp actuator for moving the pivotal clamp elementtoward the stationary clamp element. The clamp actuator for moving thepivotal clamp element toward the stationary clamp element comprises apneumatic cylinder. The peristaltic driver may comprise four rollers, orit may comprise three rollers.

The peristaltic pump many comprise a plurality of flexible conduits,each conduct having a first end connected to the supply container forreceiving batter, a plurality of movable pump elements, and a pluralityof shut-off valves. Each of the movable pump elements is arranged tomove batter through an associated one of the plurality of flexibleconduits from the first end toward a second end. Each of the shut-offvalves is positioned adjacent the second end an associated one of theplurality of flexible conduits.

A method of dispensing measured quantities of batter to bakingcontainers, comprises the steps of providing a quantity of batter in acontainer, and pumping the batter through a flexible conduit with aperistaltic pump. The batter is pumped from a first end of the flexibleconduit connected to the container toward a second end of the conduit.The method further includes the steps of actuating a valve at the secondend of the flexible conduit to permit a measured quantity of batter tobe dispensed, and conveying baking containers into position beneath theflexible conduit for receipt of a measured quantity of batter.

The method of dispensing measured quantities of batter to bakingcontainers, comprises the steps of providing a quantity of batter, andpumping the batter through a flexible conduit with a peristaltic pump.The batter is pumped from a first end of the flexible conduit toward asecond end of the conduit by pressing the conduit at a plurality ofspaced points along the length of the conduit and moving the spacedpoints in a direction from the first end toward the second end. Themethod further includes the step of pinching closed the second end ofthe conduit after a measured quantity of batter has been dispensed fromthe second end of the conduit.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved batter dispenser and method of operating such a dispenser, inwhich accurately metered, significant quantities of batter can bedispensed quickly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the dispensing device according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a portion of the peristaltic pump of thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the peristaltic pump of thepresent invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a portion of the peristaltic pump of thepresent invention, illustrating a variation in the number of rollers;

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of the shoe of the peristaltic pump,taken generally along line 5-5 in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the shoe of the peristaltic pump.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is made to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 which illustrate a dispenserdevice 10 according to the present invention. The dispenser dispensesmeasured quantities of batter, such as for cakes or muffins, forexample, onto baking containers 12, shown in FIG. 1 as muffin tins. Thedispensing device 10 includes a supply container 14 for holding aquantity of batter. The batter will have been previously mixed orotherwise prepared elsewhere, and then poured into supply container 14after the removal of container top 16. The device includes a peristalticpump 18 which is illustrated in FIG. 2. The pump 18 includes a flexibleconduit 20 having a first end 22 connected to the supply container 14for receiving batter. Conduit 20 is preferably made of a relatively softplastic material. A movable pump element 24 moves batter through theflexible conduit 20 from the first end 22 toward a second end 26. Aservo-motor drive includes servo-motor 28, gear box 30 and drive shaft32 which extends through and drivingly engages the drive element 24. Aconveyor 34 is positioned beneath the second end 26 of the flexibleconduit 20 for moving baking containers 12 into position there beneathfor deposit of batter. Conveyor 34 may be any of a number of knownconveyor mechanisms capable of conveying and positioning the containers12 in synchronization with the operation of the pump 18. The conveyorwill typically connect with other conveyors to carry the containers 12into and through a baking oven.

The peristaltic pump 18 includes a pair of side plates 36 that are heldby spacer bolts 38 and that carry bearings 40. The movable pump element24 includes a peristaltic driver 42 having a pair of plates 44 and aplurality of occlusion rollers 46 extending there between. Theperistaltic pump 18 further includes a shoe 48, best shown in FIGS. 5and 6. The shoe 48 defines a curved pressure surface 50 against whichthe conduit 20, shown in dashed lines in FIG. 5, rests. The rollers 46of the peristaltic driver 42 apply pressure to the flexible conduit 20against the curved pressure surface 50 to deform the conduit 20 andocclude it. This essentially traps quantities of batter in the conduit20 between the occlusions produced by the rollers 46. Servo pump motor28 rotates the drive shaft 32 which in turn rotates the peristalticdriver 42. As a consequence, batter is pumped through the peristalticpump in a very controlled, very precisely metered fashion. Because therotation of the servo pump motor can be very precisely controlled, theamount of batter pumped by the servo pump is also determined withprecision. When the servo pump motor rotates the peristaltic drive by aspecific amount, a predetermined amount of batter is dispensed.

A shut-off valve 52, best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, comprises a clampmechanism 54, including a stationary clamp element 56 that extends from,and is unitary with, the shoe 48, and a pivotal clamp element 58. Aclamp actuator 60 moves the pivotal clamp element 58 toward thestationary clamp element 56 to pinch the conduit 20, thereby closing itoff. The clamp actuator 60 for moving the pivotal clamp element 58toward the stationary clamp element 56 comprises a pneumatic cylinder62. Cylinder 62 has one end attached to a stationary link 64 and theother end attached to the pivotal clamp element 58. When actuated, thepneumatic cylinder 62 contracts, pivoting element 58 in acounterclockwise direction about pivot 64. This movement, which islimited by stop 66, causes clamp post 68 to press against conduit 20,flattening it against clamp element 56.

A number of variations in the construction of the device of FIG. 2 arecontemplated. For example, although the peristaltic driver of FIG. 2 hasfour rollers 46, a different number of rollers may be used. FIG. 4, forexample, illustrates a peristaltic driver having only three rollers,46′.

It will be appreciated that it is necessary for the depositor todispense simultaneously a plurality of equal measured quantities ofbatter, as for example in each of the recesses in the row of recessesacross the muffin tins 12 of FIG. 1. To accomplish this, the peristalticpump construction of FIG. 2 may be replicated across the width of theconveyor 12. That is, a plurality of peristaltic pumps such as shown inFIG. 2 are arranged in a row across the width of the conveyor and alldriven by a single drive shaft 32. The pumps in this arrangement may besupported on slide rods that permit the lateral spacing of the outletsof the conduits 20 to be adjusted and positioned to fill the containerrecesses of the specific containers then being used for the bakingoperation. Such a peristaltic pump may comprise a plurality of flexibleconduits, each conduct having a first end connected to the single supplycontainer 14 for receiving batter. In this arrangement, a plurality ofmovable pump elements, each of the movable pump elements arranged tomove batter through an associated one of the plurality of flexibleconduits from the first end toward a second end, are provided. Aplurality of shut-off valves are provided, each of the shut-off valvesbeing positioned adjacent the second end and associated one of theplurality of flexible conduits.

It will be appreciated that the present invention operates according toa unique method of dispensing measured quantities of batter to bakingcontainers. A quantity of batter is provided in a container. The batteris pumped through a flexible conduit with a peristaltic pump. The batteris pumped from a first end of the flexible conduit connected to thecontainer toward a second end of the conduit by applying pressure to theconduit with a plurality of rollers that press the conduit against acurved pressure surface and roll along the surface. The rollers areprecisely moved using a servo motor. A valve at the second end of theflexible conduit permits a measured quantity of batter to be dispensed,and then pinches closed the second end of the conduit after thismeasured quantity of batter has been dispensed. During this process,baking containers are conveyed into position beneath the flexibleconduit for receipt of a measured quantity of batter.

Other aspects, objects, and advantages of the present invention can beobtained from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appendedclaims.

1. A dispensing device for supplying measured quantities of batter tobaking containers, comprising: a supply container for holding a quantityof batter, a peristaltic pump, including a flexible conduit having afirst end connected to said supply container for receiving batter, amovable pump element for precisely moving batter through the flexibleconduit from said first end toward a second end, including a servo-motordrive, and a shut-off valve adjacent the second end of the flexibleconduit, and a conveyor, beneath said second end of said flexibleconduit, for moving baking containers into position therebeneath fordeposit of batter.
 2. The dispensing device of claim 1, in which saidperistaltic pump further comprises: a shoe defining a curved pressuresurface, and said movable pump element comprising a peristaltic driverincluding a plurality of rollers, a drive shaft to rotate saidperistaltic driver such that said rollers apply pressure to saidflexible conduit, pressing said flexible conduit against said curvedpressure surface of said shoe, and a servo pump motor for rotating saidperistaltic driver.
 3. The dispensing device of claim 2, in which saidservo pump motor rotates said peristaltic drive by a precise distance soas to dispense a precise amount of batter.
 4. The dispensing device ofclaim 3, in which said shut-off valve comprises a clamp mechanism,including a stationary clamp element and a pivotal clamp element, and aclamp actuator for moving said pivotal clamp element toward saidstationary clamp element.
 5. The dispensing device of claim 4, in whichsaid clamp actuator for moving said pivotal clamp element toward saidstationary clamp element comprises a pneumatic cylinder.
 6. Thedispensing device of claim 2, in which said peristaltic driver comprisesfour rollers.
 7. The dispensing device of claim 2, in which saidperistaltic driver comprises three rollers.
 8. The dispensing device ofclaim 1, in which said peristaltic pump comprises: a plurality offlexible conduits, each conduct having a first end connected to saidsupply container for receiving batter, a plurality of movable pumpelements, each of said movable pump elements arranged to move batterthrough an associated one of said plurality of flexible conduits fromsaid first end toward a second end, and a plurality of shut-off valves,each of said shut-off valves positioned adjacent the second end anassociated one of said plurality of flexible conduits.
 9. A dispensingdevice for supplying measured quantities of batter, comprising: a supplycontainer for holding a quantity of batter, a peristaltic pump,including a plurality of flexible conduits each having a first endconnected to said supply container for receiving batter, a servo pumpmotor, a movable pump element driven by said servo pump motor forprecisely moving batter through the flexible conduits from said firstend of each of said conduits toward a second end, and a plurality ofshut-off valves, each adjacent the second end of a respective one ofsaid plurality of flexible conduits.
 10. The dispensing device of claim9, in which said peristaltic pump further comprises: a shoe defining acurved pressure surface, and said movable pump element comprising aperistaltic driver including a plurality of rollers, and a drive shaftto rotate said peristaltic driver such that said rollers apply pressureto said flexible conduits, pressing said flexible conduits against saidcurved pressure surface of said shoe, said drive shaft being connectedto, and driven by, said servo pump motor.
 11. A method of dispensingmeasured quantities of batter to baking containers, comprising:providing a quantity of batter in a container, pumping said batterthrough a flexible conduit with a peristaltic pump, said batter beingpumped from a first end of said flexible conduit connected to saidcontainer toward a second end of said conduit by applying pressure tosaid conduit with a plurality of rollers that press said conduit againsta curved pressure surface and roll along said surface, actuating a valveat the second end of said flexible conduit to permit a measured quantityof batter to be dispensed, and conveying baking containers into positionbeneath said flexible conduit for receipt of a measured quantity ofbatter.
 12. A method of dispensing measured quantities of batter tobaking containers according to claim 11, in which the step of pumpingsaid batter through a flexible conduit includes the step of pumpingbatter through a plurality of flexible conduits have respective firstends connected to said supply container.
 13. A method of dispensingmeasured quantities of batter to baking containers according to claim12, further comprising the step of pinching off said flexible conduitsadjacent the second ends thereof to insure that the measured amount ofbatter is deposited by each conduit on said baking containers.
 14. Amethod of dispensing measured quantities of batter to baking containers,comprising the steps of: providing a quantity of batter, pumping saidbatter through a flexible conduit with a peristaltic pump, said batterbeing pumped from a first end of said flexible conduit toward a secondend of said conduit by pressing said conduit at a plurality of spacedpoints along the length of the conduit and moving the spaced points in adirection from said first end toward said second end, and pinchingclosed said second end of said conduit after a measured quantity ofbatter has been dispensed from said second end of said conduit.
 15. Themethod of dispensing measured quantities of batter to baking containersaccording to claim 14, further comprising the step of conveying bakingcontainers into position beneath said flexible conduit for receipt ofmeasured quantities of batter.